Hello Jim:

Fantastic explanation, and well rendered, sir. At this point I would like to mention that the prose on this particular forum is as eloquent as any I have read on any subject. The technical expertise is, of course, what one would expect but I find reading Brickboard at least as enjoyable as The New York Times.

Back to the issue.

Jim, perhaps you can answer the question that has thus far eluded me, despite several requests. How do I measure the backlash? How do I measure the end float? How do I measure the tooth flank clearance? Phil mentioned measuring end float with a drop indicator but Google searches have yielded nothing on the subject. Phil?

I am not above draining my radiator AGAIN (this would be sixth time in the past twelve months, if I am not mistaken) and re-opening the front of the lump and finding out. The girls start school in September so the window of opportunity to have Virginia off the road for more than two days is slowly closing.

Cheers,

Jeff Pucillo